Safety ski binding

ABSTRACT

A safety ski binding embodying a release plate intended to be releasably secured to a ski boot. The release plate possesses at one end a supporting surface engaging beneath an associated holding surface of a holder element secured to the ski and the other end of which cooperates with a locking pin subjected to the pressure of an adjustment spring, so that there is possible both lateral release of the release plate as well as also upward release thereof away from the ski. A circular-shaped bearing disc is secured to the ski and engages with a lengthwise extending slot of the release plate, so that the release plate can pivot about the bearing disc, can displace in the lengthwise direction with respect to the bearing disc and can be raised therefrom. The supporting surface of the release plate and the holding surface of the holder element form a lateral guide with regard to the axis of the bearing disc.

United States Patent [191 Gertsch et a1.

[ Feb. 18, 1975 SAFETY SKI BINDING [75] Inventors: Ernst Gertsch,Wengen; Ulrich Gertsch, Matten, both of Switzerland [73] Assignee:Gertsch AG [22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1972 21 Appl. NO.Z 304,736

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary ExaminerDavid SchonbergAssistant Examiner-David M. Mitchell Attorney, Agent, or FirmHill,Gross, Simpson, Van Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson [57] ABSTRACT Asafety ski binding embodying a release plate intended to be releasablysecured to a ski boot. The release plate possesses at one end asupporting surface engaging beneath an associated holding surface of aholder element secured to the ski and the other end of which cooperateswith a locking pin subjected to the pressure of an adjustment spring, sothat there is possi' ble both lateral release of the release plate aswell as also upward release thereof away from the ski. A circular-shapedbearing disc is secured to the ski and engages with a lengthwiseextending slot of the release plate, so that the release plate can pivotabout the bearing disc, can displace in the lengthwise direction 'withrespect to the bearing disc and can be raised therefrom. The supportingsurface of the release plate and the holding surface of the holderelement form a lateral guide with regard to the axis of the bearingdisc.

14 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures SAFETY 'SKI BINDING BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improvedconstruction of safety or release ski binding embodying a release plateserving for releasable attachment to a ski boot, the release platehaving at its one end a supporting surface which engages beneath anassociated holding surface of a holder element secured to the ski andthe other end of which cooperates with a locking pin which is subjectedto the pressure of an adjustment spring, so that there is possible bothlateral release of the release plate as well as upward release thereof.

With such prior art ski bindings faulty release of the binding couldoccur, during normal skiing owing to the favorable friction conditionswhich were obtained by virtue of the release plate, in thatnon-dangerous impact forces and the forces exerted by the skier forcontrolling the movement of the skiis during skiing could causeunintentional release of the release plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hence, it should be apparent from the foregoingdiscussion that this particular field of technology still is in need ofa safety ski binding which is not associated with the aforementioneddrawbacks and limitations of the prior art proposals. Therefore, it is aprimary object of the present invention to provide an improvedconstruction of safety ski binding of the aforementioned type whicheffectively and reliably fulfills the existing need in the art and isnot associated with the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of theprior art constructions.

Another and more specific object of the present invention relates to animproved construction of releasable ski binding which overcomes, in aneffective manner, the previously discussed drawbacks, and wherein theconstruction of such binding is relatively simple, renders sameeconomical to manufacture, and the binding is extremely reliable inoperation.

Yet a further significant object of the present invention aims at theprovision of an improved construction of safety ski binding whichgenerally is only responsive to the type of forces exerted upon theskiers legs which would require release of the binding, so as to preventpremature release thereof under skiing conditions not warrantinginitiation of the binding release action.

Now in order to implement these and still further objects of theinvention, which will become more readily apparent as the descriptionproceeds, the safety ski binding of this development, also referred toas a releasable ski binding, of the aforementioned type, is manifestedby the features that a substantially circularshaped bearing disc whichis secured to the ski engages with a longitudinal or lengthwiseextending slot of the release plate, so that the release plate can pivotabout this bearing disc, can displace in the lengthwise directionrelative thereto and can be raised therefrom. The supporting surface ofthe release plate and the holding surface of the holder element form alateral guide with regard to the axis of the bearing disc.

Owing tothe arrangement of the bearing disc the action of the releaseforces can be chosen to be more favorable for the different releasedirections of the binding, and the bearing disc directly contributes tothe beneficial result that non-dangerous short-lived impact forcesexerted laterally can be absorbed. Hence, the

sensitivity of the ski binding to faulty release action is considerablyreduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be better understoodand objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent whenconsideration is given to the following detailed description thereof.Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred constructinal embodiment ofsafety ski binding designed according to the teachings of this inventionand shown mounted upon a ski, only a portion of which has been depictedto preserve clarity inillustration and;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the safety ski binding arrangement depicted inFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Considering now thedrawing, there is disclosed therein a preferred exemplary embodiment ofsafety ski binding or releasable ski binding wherein it will be notedthat an attachment flange 2 of a sleeve r housing 3 is secured by meansof screws 4 or equivalent expedients to the top surface ofa ski 1. Alocking element 5a is pivotably mounted in the sleeve 3, locking element5a possessing a locking pin 5, a domed central portion 6 and a flat endface or surface 7 which cooperates with a planar or flat end surface ofa piston 8. The piston 8 is displaceably guided within sleeve 3. Asubstantially circular ring-shaped shoulder 9 ofthe locking element 5aengages behind a substantially circular ringshaped inner flange 3a atthe end of the sleeve 3. A pressure or compression spring 12 is arrangedwithin the sleeve 3 between the piston 8 and an adjustment screw 11threaded into the sleeve 3. Between the sleeve 3 and the adjustmentscrew 11 there is inserted a plurality of thin rings 13 by means ofwhich the screw 11 can be fixed in different adjustment positions.

The locking pin 5 of the locking element 5a cooperates with a recess 14aprovided at a shoulder or projection 14 appearing at the front or'standing edge 15 of a release plate 16. At the inside of the upstandingedge 15 there is secured for elevational adjustability, by means of ascrew 18 or the like, a sole holder or holddown mechanism 17. At therear end of the release plate 16 opposite the sole holder or holddownmechanism 17, there are provided threaded bores or holes 19 forselectively receiving threaded bolts 20 which are flexed or bent in amanner to form two legs arranged substantially at right angles to oneanother. Each of the bolts 20 is connected at one respective end,through the agency of a respective threaded sleeve 21, with a respectivetension spring 22. Each tension spring 22 is connected through theagency of a respective angled bolt 23 with a sleeve 24 at which there isseated a clamping lever 25. The one arm 25a of the clamping lever 25 isintended to engage over the heel portion of a ski boot 26, as indicatedin phantom lines in FIG. 2, and the other arm 25b of which serves as anactuation arm.

Now at the ski 1 there is secured by means of a screw 27 or. any othersuitable fastening element a substantially circular-shaped bearing disc28 which engages with a longitudinal or lengthwise extending slot 29 ofthe release plate 16. Owing to this arrangement the release plate 16 ispivotable about the central axis of the bearing disc 28 and at the sametime is displaceable over a limited distance in thelengthwise directionof the ski. Furthermore, the release plate 16 can be raised upwards awayfrom the bearing disc 28. The rear end of the release plate 16 possessesa bevelled or inclined supporting surface 30 extending in asubstantially circular arc-shaped fashion with regard to the upstandingcentral axis of the bearing disc 28. The support or sup porting surface30 bears against a correspondingly configured substantially circulararc-shaped bevelled holding surface 31 of a holder or holding element 32secured to the ski 1. Both of the surfaces 30 and 31 extend upwardly andforwardly fromthe bottom towards the top thereof and in the direction ofthe bearing disc 28, as shown. During lateral release, the release plate16 is rocked about the bearing disc 28, whereas during a fall towardsthe front by the skier the release plate is shifted towards the frontagainst the pressure of the spring 12 until the supporting surface 30 nolonger contacts or engages with the holding surface 31.

Instead of using the illustrated pivotal pin which cooperates with arecess 14a at the front and of the release plate 16 it would be alsopossible to provide an axially displaceable pin which cooperates with anappropriately constructed countersurface at the front end of the releaseplate 16, as is well known in this art.

it should be understood that the locking pin 5 could be arranged at therear end of the release plate 16 and the bevelled surface 30 at thefront end of such release plate. Also with this variant embodiment ofthe invention, as with the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the releaseplate 16 can be supported at the bearing disc 28 through the agency ofthe corresponding end of .the lengthwise extending slot 29 While thereis shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention,it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limitedthereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced withinthe scope of the following claims. Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. A releasable ski binding for a ski comprising a release plateintended to be releasably secured to a ski boot, said release platebeing provided at one end with -a supporting surface, a holder elementfor attachment to the ski, said holder element including a holdingsurface which engages with the supporting surface of the release plate,a spring-loaded locking pin cooperating with the other end of therelease plate, means for adjusting the spring-loading of saidspring-loaded locking pin, said release plate being releasable laterallyas well as upwardly with regard to the ski, a substantially circularshaped bearing disc for attachment to the ski, said release plate havinga lengthwise extending slot which engages said bearing disc, so thatsaid release plate can pivot about the bearing disc, can displace in thelengthwise direction relative thereto and can be raised away from saidbearing disc, said supporting surface of the release plate and theholding surface of the holder element forming a lateral guide withregard to the axis of the bearing disc, said supporting surface of therelease plate and the holding surface of the holder element cooperatingwith one another to provide selective vertical release action, saidlateral guide having an arcuate surface cooperating with an arcuatesurface of said release plate for freely permitting pivoting of saidrelease plate, said spring-loaded locking pin providing both lateralrelease action and vertical release action for said binding, saidspring-loaded locking pin in conjunction with said bearing discproviding different release moments for the ski binding for the verticalrelease action and for the lateral release action, respectively.

2. The releasable ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein the releaseplate contacts the bearing disc at one end of the lengthwise extendingslot under the action of the locking pin in the normal non-releasecondition of the binding.

3. The releasable ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein thesupporting surface of the release plate and the holding surface of theholder element extend in respective substantially circular arc-shapedconfiguration with regard to the axis of the bearing disc.

4. The releasable ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein thesupporting surface and the holding surface are respectively inclinedfrom the bottom towards the top thereof in the direction of the bearingdisc.

5. The releasable ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein saidlocking pin comprises a pivotal pin memher.

6. The releasable ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein saidlocking pin comprises an axially displaceable pin member.

7. In a releasable ski binding for a ski including a release plate andmeans for securing said release plate to a ski boot, the combinationcomprising first holding means adapted to be secured to said skijuxtaposed with the toe end of said boot, for releasably holding one endof said release plate relative to said ski, second holding means adaptedto be secured to said ski at the opposite end of said release platejuxtaposed with the heel end of said boot for releasably holding saidopposite end of said release plate against upward motion relative tosaid ski, said second holding means having an arcuate surfacecooperating with a corresponding surface of said release plate forpermitting unrestrained lateral movement of said release plate relativeto said ski and pivot means adapted to be secured to said ski at a pointintermediate said first and second holding means and cooperating withsaid release plate to permit said release plate to pivot relative tosaid ski at the location of said pivot means and permitting verticalseparation of said release plate from said ski while preventing sidewisemovement of said release plate relative to said ski at the location ofsaid pivot means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said pivot means comprises apivot member to be secured to said ski to extend upwardly therefrom, andwherein said release plate is provided with a recess for receiving saidpivot member, said recess having opposed side walls for engaging opposedsides of said pivot member to prevent said sidewise movement.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, including resilient means foryieldingly urging said release plate toward said second holding means,said recess being elongated in a longitudinal direction relative to saidski, to permit longitudinal movement of said release plate against saidresilient means relative to said pivot member.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said release plate comprisesa relatively flat plate, and wherein said recess comprises a slot formedin said plate for receiving said pivot member.

. 11. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said first holding meansincludes spring means for urging said release plate toward saidsecond-holding means with said pivot member bearing against the end ofsaid recess closer to said first holding means.

12. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first holding meansincludes spring means adapted to urge said release plate against saidpivot means and for yieldingly restraining pivoting of said releaseplate rela tive to said ski, and wherein said second holding meansincludes guide means for cooperating with said opposite end of saidrelease plate for holding it against upward movement away from said skiwhile freely permitting said pivoting.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said pivot means comprisesa pivot member adapted to be secured to said ski to extend upwardlytherefrom, and said release plate having an elongate recess forreceiving said pivot member and allowing longitudinal movement of saidrelease plate relative thereto, said spring means adapted to yieldinglyurge said release plate toward said pivot member with said pivot memberbearing against the end of said recess closer to said first holdingmeans, and wherein said second holding means is provided with a firstinclined surface, said opposite end of said release plate being providedwith a correspondingly inclined second inclined surface adapted normallyto underlie said first inclined surface, and wherein said recess issufficiently long to permit said release plate to move longitudinallyrelative to said pivot member until said second inclined surface nolonger underlies said first surface so that said opposite end of saidrelease plate is free to move upward relative to said second holdingmeans.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first and secondinclined surfaces are surfaces of revolution relative to the axis ofsaid pivot member.

1. A releasable ski binding for a ski comprising a release plateintended to be releasably secured to a ski boot, said release platebeing provided at one end with a supporting surface, a holder elementfor attachment to the ski, said holder element including a holdingsurface which engages with the supporting surface of the release plate,a spring-loaded locking pin cooperating with the other end of therelease plate, means for adjusting the spring-loading of saidspring-loaded locking pin, said release plate being releasable laterallyas well as upwardly with regard to the ski, a substantiallycircular-shaped bearing disc for attachment to the ski, said releaseplate having a lengthwise extending slot which engages said bearingdisc, so that said release plate can pivot about the bearing disc, candisplace in the lengthwise direction relative thereto and can be raisedaway from said bearing disc, said supporting surface of the releaseplate and the holding surface of the holder element forming a lateralguide with regard to the axis of the bearing disc, said supportingsurface of the release plate and the holding surface of the holderelement cooperating with one another to provide selective verticalrelease action, said lateral guide having an arcuate surface cooperatingwith an arcuate surface of said release plate for freely permittingpivoting of said release plate, said spring-loaded locking pin providingboth lateral release action and vertical release action for saidbinding, said spring-loaded Locking pin in conjunction with said bearingdisc providing different release moments for the ski binding for thevertical release action and for the lateral release action,respectively.
 2. The releasable ski binding as defined in claim 1,wherein the release plate contacts the bearing disc at one end of thelengthwise extending slot under the action of the locking pin in thenormal non-release condition of the binding.
 3. The releasable skibinding as defined in claim 1, wherein the supporting surface of therelease plate and the holding surface of the holder element extend inrespective substantially circular arc-shaped configuration with regardto the axis of the bearing disc.
 4. The releasable ski binding asdefined in claim 1, wherein the supporting surface and the holdingsurface are respectively inclined from the bottom towards the topthereof in the direction of the bearing disc.
 5. The releasable skibinding as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking pin comprises apivotal pin member.
 6. The releasable ski binding as defined in claim 1,wherein said locking pin comprises an axially displaceable pin member.7. In a releasable ski binding for a ski including a release plate andmeans for securing said release plate to a ski boot, the combinationcomprising first holding means adapted to be secured to said skijuxtaposed with the toe end of said boot, for releasably holding one endof said release plate relative to said ski, second holding means adaptedto be secured to said ski at the opposite end of said release platejuxtaposed with the heel end of said boot for releasably holding saidopposite end of said release plate against upward motion relative tosaid ski, said second holding means having an arcuate surfacecooperating with a corresponding surface of said release plate forpermitting unrestrained lateral movement of said release plate relativeto said ski and pivot means adapted to be secured to said ski at a pointintermediate said first and second holding means and cooperating withsaid release plate to permit said release plate to pivot relative tosaid ski at the location of said pivot means and permitting verticalseparation of said release plate from said ski while preventing sidewisemovement of said release plate relative to said ski at the location ofsaid pivot means.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said pivotmeans comprises a pivot member to be secured to said ski to extendupwardly therefrom, and wherein said release plate is provided with arecess for receiving said pivot member, said recess having opposed sidewalls for engaging opposed sides of said pivot member to prevent saidsidewise movement.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, includingresilient means for yieldingly urging said release plate toward saidsecond holding means, said recess being elongated in a longitudinaldirection relative to said ski, to permit longitudinal movement of saidrelease plate against said resilient means relative to said pivotmember.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said release platecomprises a relatively flat plate, and wherein said recess comprises aslot formed in said plate for receiving said pivot member.
 11. Apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein said first holding means includes springmeans for urging said release plate toward said second holding meanswith said pivot member bearing against the end of said recess closer tosaid first holding means.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 7, whereinsaid first holding means includes spring means adapted to urge saidrelease plate against said pivot means and for yieldingly restrainingpivoting of said release plate relative to said ski, and wherein saidsecond holding means includes guide means for cooperating with saidopposite end of said release plate for holding it against upwardmovement away from said ski while freely permitting said pivoting. 13.Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said pivot means comprises apivOt member adapted to be secured to said ski to extend upwardlytherefrom, and said release plate having an elongate recess forreceiving said pivot member and allowing longitudinal movement of saidrelease plate relative thereto, said spring means adapted to yieldinglyurge said release plate toward said pivot member with said pivot memberbearing against the end of said recess closer to said first holdingmeans, and wherein said second holding means is provided with a firstinclined surface, said opposite end of said release plate being providedwith a correspondingly inclined second inclined surface adapted normallyto underlie said first inclined surface, and wherein said recess issufficiently long to permit said release plate to move longitudinallyrelative to said pivot member until said second inclined surface nolonger underlies said first surface so that said opposite end of saidrelease plate is free to move upward relative to said second holdingmeans.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first andsecond inclined surfaces are surfaces of revolution relative to the axisof said pivot member.